PITTSBURGH – It doesn’t appear as if we’ll be seeing Bobby Valentine’s sequel in Flushing next year.

GM Jim Duquette indicated yesterday that a return of the former Met skipper as Art Howe’s replacement is a long shot.

“I’m not ruling out anybody or anything, but it’s probably not likely,” Duquette admitted.

He also said managerial interviews could actually begin before the end of the season, as long as the potential candidate is either internal (as in Lenny Dykstra) or does not require permission from another team.

Lou Piniella and Jim Fregosi remain near the top of the Mets’ wish list.

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Duquette said nothing was imminent with a Kris Benson signing, but insisted there is no pressure to get a deal done before the season ends.

“We’ve got a long time,” Duquette said, noting that Benson can’t negotiate with anybody else until 15 days after the World Series ends. “We’re not pushing it to have it done by the end of the season. If we can get it done [by then], that’d be great.”

Duquette also said he’s “hopeful” that Al Leiter will return next year.

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Howe expressed hope that both Jose Reyes and Kaz Matsui can return on the Mets’ homestand next weekend.

“The next homestand was the primary goal,” said Matsui, who still feels irregularity in his back. “We’re going day-by-day.”

Reyes said he’d also try to play next weekend, but admitted, “it still hurts a little bit.”

Since Montreal features unforgiving AstroTurf, Matsui will head to St. Lucie this week to continue rehab.

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Count Jeff Keppinger as one happy Met. The former Pirate farmhand, acquired with Benson on July 30, is essentially playing every day with the Mets, thanks to injuries. That’s a bit different from his situation in Pittsburgh.

“I didn’t know what I had to do in that organization,” he said. “Three months into the season, I was hitting .400 and I couldn’t even get a promotion to Triple-A. I’m definitely happy to be over here.”